My personal opinion, which is worth exactly what you paid for it, is that the risk of being "a target" is real but very small. An openly carried gun is just as likely to be a deterrent as it is to attract hostile actions.Charles L. Cotton wrote: ↑Tue Aug 28, 2018 11:50 am I don't open-carry for two primary, but not exclusive, reasons. I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I'm armed; and 2) I don't want to get shot by a BG if I'm sufficiently unlucky to be at a location where an armed robbery goes down. Yeah, I'm saying I don't want to be a target and it's not an excuse for some other motivation.
Some argue that there is no evidence that carrying openly will make you a target for hijackers. While true, it's a meaningless statement since most of us have never been in any location when a hijacking is occurring. I don't know of a single incident where a hijacking occurred in the presence of someone carrying openly. The "lack of evidence" argument fails because there is no evidence that carrying openly does not make you a target.
Let's use some logic concerning an entirely too-frequent crime. Look at the number of multiple hijackers we are seeing in various locations like restaurants. If I'm in a restaurant that is hit by 3 or more BG's, does anyone really think that seeing me with a handgun on my side is not going to make me the center of attention for the BG's? Of course it will! Whether they shoot me or simply steal my handgun, I've lost. With my handgun concealed, I have the option to engage or not, as I see fit depending upon the circumstances. Some will argue that even if I'm carrying openly it is not guaranteed that any of the hijackers will see my handgun. This is absolutely true. However, they may see it and this is a risk that is not present when I carry concealed.
I don't care if anyone, other than my family, carries only; that's their choice. Just don't claim that a sound tactical decision is groundless and an excuse for some unstated reason.
Chas.
This is really a personal decision. There are legitimate arguments that can be made either way. I have no problem with someone doing as Charles did here and state their reason for making the decision that they made. Where I get irritated is when people tell me what decision I should make based on their reasons for making a decision to OC or CC. I'm comfortable with each mode of carry and will use whatever method of carry suits me for that outing. (see post about leather seats)